Comic Review...

Transformers #10

Writer: Mike Costa
Artist: Guido Guidi

(cover by Guido Guidi)

Summary: 'International Incident,' Part 2: Spike and Optimus lead a covert team onto South Korean soil, but do they have a chance against a fully-armed platoon of Combaticons? Somebody's about to get their tail-pipe kicked in a big way. Costa and Guidi bring the pain with the biggest brawl yet in the Transformers ongoing title.

Comments: Like the previous issue, a decent story and reasonably good art (if a bit cartoony). My problem is that I'm tired of "decent" and would like to see more of "spectacular". I'd also like to see some tighter writing so stories don't go on and on forever. This story could've been wrapped up quickly but apparently its slated to go at least four issues! All International Incident really is ultimately is a extended battle between the two sides (it reads like the plot of a G1 cartoon episode). There's no intrigue or sub-plots really. What you see is what you get--and it's just not interesting or exciting enough for me. Of all IDW's output, I can't say they've really ever done a truly memorable story (although a few of Furman's came close)--and this is no exception. I planned to give the ongoing series a couple of issues to try it out and see how Costa did. I'm just not feeling it overall and after ten issues, I think it's time to call it quits. (I might still pick up a trade or mini in the future if it sounds good but I'm done with the ongoing for the time being).

Mildly recommended.

adres change and new blog

Hi all, from now on my warlog files aswell as other news can be found on:

UNB

be sure to visit from time to time, since the warlog link in the box to the right is no longer valid.

-Johan/Backbreaker.

...am busy with a concept powercore combiners strip....

TRANSFORMERS Coming to Universal Studios Hollywood

This site may replace the "Backdraft" attraction. Photo by Eustace M.

Update to Karmic Salt...

An update to my other website for a change...

As some of you may know, I helped do the Balance of Power fanzine in the 90s and 00s and my website has an archive of the old stories. I was on there the other day and realized the Covers gallery was not up to date (which is weird, because I was sure I'd done that ages ago). Anyway, I updated the Cover Gallery completely and then I decided while I was at it to update the rather pathetic Profiles section too (it had barely any of them on it). Over the last two days, I've added EVERY SINGLE PROFILE ever done for BOP. Most are in html while a few are scans (like Matt's old stuff, which I don't have the original files to. Also, Tom's original three profiles were printed with a laser printer and have a lot of line detail I'd have to erase out and then color in so I just left two of them b/w for now).

The Archive is here:
http://www.karmicsalt.org/boparchive.html

...and the profiles are on the bottom half of the page.

Comments are always welcome! :)


- Thunder

NEW! Transmasters group on Facebook!

I just created a TM group on Facebook! The link below should take you to it:


http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=145086098844168


(If, for some reason, the link doesn't work, go to Facebook and do a search for "Transmasters" and you should find it anyway).

Don't delay, join today! :)

- Thunder

TM Mag is ready!

The Fall issue of Transmasters Magazine is done and ready to go! You can check it out here:


http://transmasters.angelfire.com/tmmag/issue7/index1.html


Comments, questions, etc. are always welcome. Contributions for future issues are also welcome and encouraged (it can be as simple as a TF picture or article even!)

Til All Are One!
- Thunder

Comic Review...

Transformers: Ironhide #4 (of 4)

Writer: Mike Costa
Artist: Casey Coller

(covers by Casey Coller and Marcele Matere)

Summary: Filled with destiny, purpose, and seven million years of Decepticon-whuppin' to catch up on, Ironhide goes out to meet the Swarm in an epic final confrontation. Casey Coller and Mike Costa deliver what is far and away the most action-packed issue of their careers, and the fate of Cybertron is changed forever.


Comments: And so Ironhide concludes. I enjoyed the characterization throughout the story but the ending left me with a "that's it?" feeling. I mean, now what? Will we ever find out what happens? Alphatrion is total jerk in this story and while it differs from the cartoon depiction I like that he's given a personality here instead of generic sage like before. Unlike Bumblebee, which was a total waste of time as series go, this story had some value but I do question if it needed to be told in a mini when it easily could've been a sub-plot in the main comic. But I guess IDW can't make more money off me that way... A decent enough series, but not a great one.

Verdict: Recommended.
The series as a whole: Recommended.

(cover "B" by Casey Coller)